KARL
HARTLEY.
Researching and designing AI-powered assessments for vocational education, and helping organisations adopt AI safely and at human speed.
Transforming how people learn in a digital age.
I am a Tairāwhiti (Gisborne) born learning and technology specialist who now calls Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) home. For more than 20 years I have designed digital learning and assessment for organisations across Aotearoa and beyond.
In 2017 I co-founded Epic Learning, a fully remote learning and development team that now supports clients across New Zealand and Australia. I also co-founded Epic Sharing, a platform for sharing and discovering learning resources. I still work closely with the Epic crew while focusing my own time on AI research and my new venture, hotloop.ai.
As Principal Investigator for ConCOVE Tūhura I have led New Zealand's largest study into whether AI can create NZQA aligned assessments that pass national moderation. Our 114-page report established an ethical framework for AI assisted assessment design that responds to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
"I believe the future of learning sits where human expertise and AI systems work together. My job is to help assessment teams, teachers and leaders build that future."
Quality & Regulatory Experience
Deep diving into the mechanics of assessment and compliance to ensure AI integration is robust and valid.
More than a decade working with NZQA aligned unit standards, micro-credentials and skill standards.
Designing assessments meeting national moderation expectations in NZ and compliance in Australia.
Collaboration with sector bodies, moderators and vocational research teams on assessment quality.
Helping providers update processes so AI becomes a trusted part of assessment, not a shortcut.
AI Generated Assessments
Leading New Zealand's largest study on AI in vocational education
Principal Investigator for a comprehensive study examining whether AI can create assessments that pass New Zealand's national moderation system.
- check_circle Ethical framework responding to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- check_circle 5-phase methodology for NZQA compliant AI assessment
- check_circle Validation by subject matter experts
Presentations & Panels
NZVETRF 2025
AI generated assessments for vocational education (with Eve Price)
AVETRA Conference
AI generated assessments for VET
ConCOVE Tūhura Conference
Future proofing assessment: AI generated design
No Frills National VET Research
AI generated assessments and inclusive VET pathways
NZATO Digital Learning Showcase
Shadow AI: the secret power shaping learning and development
Writing & Features
Vocational Voices
NCVER Podcast: Inclusive VET systems & AI assessment.
Shadow AI
Article: How people quietly adopt AI tools at work.
LinkedIn Analysis
Regular insights on AI, meta prompting & workflows.
Selected Projects
NZF Learn Platform
Developed learning dashboard and e-learning content for national coach and referee education. 4,000+ active users.
AI Activator
Developed introduction to AI module for the national AI Activator programme.
Mechanical Engineering
Directed curriculum development modernising 120 unit standards.
AI generated assessment + State Compliance
Led design of a generative AI assessment engine that overlays state-based construction legislation onto assessment questions. Enabled providers to generate legally relevant variants instantly.